Mueller hat-trick sinks Portugal

Thomas Mueller spectacularly stole the limelight from World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo with a hat-trick in a stunning 4-0 demolition of 10-man Portugal. Photo by: Darren Staples/Reuters

Brazil - Thomas Mueller spectacularly stole the limelight from World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo with a hat-trick in a stunning 4-0 demolition of 10-man Portugal at the World Cup.

Bayern Munich star Mueller marked his 50th international appearance in style with a 12th-minute penalty and a first-half injury time strike.

He then grabbed his third in the 78th minute with defender Mats Hummels having also got on the scoresheet in the first period.

Ronaldo, who was playing despite having suffered a knee injury, hardly figured as his career World Cup goals tally remained on a paltry two.

Mueller was also involved in the first half dismissal of Portugal defender Pepe after he appeared to be headbutted by the Real Madrid man.

Watched by German leader Angela Merkel and buoyed by news earlier in the day that national sporting hero Michael Schumacher had emerged from his lengthy coma, the three-time champions tore into Portugal.

After Ronaldo had missed his only chance of the first half and Sami Khedira went narrowly wide from 30 yards after goalkeeper's Rui Patricio botched clearance, Germany struck in the 11th minute.